Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 1081

1081. Dog-Eat-Dog (11)

A British staff officer, assisting Ahmad, explained the operation to him in front of a map.

“The battle will occur in Bolu. Both Selim’s and Korkud’s armies must pass through this location to reach Constantinople. We will secure Bolu first and then establish a defensive position.”

After listening to the British officer’s explanation, Ahmad glanced at his own staff. One of them, receiving a silent cue, questioned the British officer.

“If our focus is on defense, wouldn’t it be more advantageous to fortify ourselves here in Amasya? The walls are already well-built, and it would alleviate supply concerns.”

The British officer smiled and immediately countered.

“Are those walls stronger than the triple walls of Constantinople?”

“………”

“And while ‘entrenching’ in Amasya might seem appealing, others will perceive it as ‘isolating’ ourselves. This is because while the road through Amasya to Constantinople is the quickest and most convenient, it isn’t the only route.”

“………”

Ahmad’s staff members fell silent at the British officer’s words. In reality, there was a route along the northern coastline and another through the highlands south of Amasya. However, abandoning the well-prepared defenses of Amasya felt like a significant loss.

Ultimately, Ahmad’s staff raised another concern.

“Then, what about supplies? How will we manage the supply lines?”

“Our British fleet has already navigated the Bosphorus Strait. Don’t worry about supplies.”

The debate concluded with a victory for the British officer’s perspective. However, the final decision rested with Ahmad. As everyone awaited his verdict, Ahmad, who had remained silent, finally spoke.

“We will make our stand in Bolu.”

Following Ahmad’s decision, his army and the British forces began to mobilize.

“Pack up quickly! We need to move as fast as possible!”

“Pack the supplies carefully! Especially, don’t forget ammunition and food!”

Amidst the soldiers and officers shouting orders and preparing to move, the British officer offered Ahmad further advice.

“Osman must accompany us.”

“My son must come with us?”

“If he remains here, he’s likely to be taken hostage. And Osman is already an adult, so they won’t simply leave him alone.”

“……..”

In the end, Ahmad’s son, Osman, joined their march.

* * *

Having confirmed Ahmad’s movements, Korkud’s and Selim’s armies also advanced towards Bolu. Korkud departed from Antalya, heading to Bolu via the southern coastal road, bypassing the highlands. Selim, leaving from Trabzon, increased his pace.

“We must reach Bolu as quickly as possible! We cannot afford to give Ahmad any more time!”

Selim increased his marching speed, choosing a route closer to the coast rather than one through Amasya.

“Ahmad hasn’t abandoned Amasya entirely. Therefore, approaching Amasya or following Ahmad’s path could lead to unnecessary losses. We will avoid that route.”

For this crucial contest, the three factions conserved their strength as much as possible while heading to Bolu. Examining their routes, it was evident that they avoided direct contact.

-Avoid foolish actions that waste time and energy on unnecessary engagements.

-Seize only what is necessary, when it is needed.

This showcased the tactical maneuvering typical of the empire in the Mediterranean, as well as the strategies of European powers. However, maritime transport presented a different picture. Even as the fleets supporting the three factions passed each other, they remained unengaged.

“No, they’re just letting them pass! Are they insane?”

The reason was that the battleships owned by the European powers had become ‘expensive’ assets. These battleships, armed with dozens of costly cannons, armored with expensive steel plates, and powered by steam engines far more expensive than the cannons themselves, were valuable investments. Furthermore, the sailors trained to operate these steamships commanded high wages.

“The Mediterranean is important, but Terra [Earth] and Gloria [Glory] are even more important.”

“And we aren’t engaged in a full-scale war in Europe right now, are we? So, why should we risk expensive ships in battle?”

Since this wasn’t a war for survival among the European powers, losing battleships would be a pointless waste. Consequently, the navies of the European powers intervening in the Ottoman succession war operated under similar orders.

-Do not initiate attacks unless provoked!

With these directives, the navies of the powers largely shared the same sentiment.

“We don’t need to get involved in other people’s squabbles, do we?”

As a result, despite the complex maritime transport routes of the powers, no battles occurred.

* * *

The first faction to occupy Bolu, a vital gateway to Constantinople, was Ahmad’s. Upon receiving news of Ahmad’s seizure of Bolu, Korkud and Selim slowed their advance.

“If we rush in and engage Ahmad first, we will only benefit the others!”

“It would be even more devastating to be backstabbed in this situation!”

Korkud and Selim cautiously approached Bolu, constantly monitoring each other. Meanwhile, Ahmad’s staff and the British officer celebrated.

“This is our chance!”

“It would be foolish to waste this opportunity!”

Ahmad’s army, having gained time due to Korkud’s and Selim’s hesitation, began to reinforce its defenses.

* * *

Korkud’s and Selim’s staff and strategists had anticipated this scenario.

“It’s not that we’re stalled, it’s that Ahmad is!”

-When Ahmad’s army becomes fixated on Bolu, they will unleash their hidden card!

Selim’s hidden card was the ground forces of France, Italy, and Portugal. These troops, secretly stationed in Alobah, south of Constantinople, were to land in Gebze upon receiving the order and advance on Constantinople.

-Ahmad and Korkud will keep each other in check, and even if they don’t, I will ensure they do!

This was Selim’s strategy.

Korkud’s hidden card was the Habsburg army and the Janissaries [elite Ottoman infantry corps].

-If the conflict between Ahmad and Selim becomes protracted, the waiting Habsburg army will march south, join forces with the Janissaries, and secure the Sultan’s person and Constantinople!

This was Korkud’s plan.

Ahmad’s and Britain’s plan was simple.

-They aim to strike when the two are exhausted from fighting!

“We have some knowledge of the movements of France and the Habsburgs. Ultimately, there will be fierce street fighting in Constantinople. The problem is that all European participants face the same constraint.”

“The same constraint?”

“They cannot commit all their resources. Therefore, the one who conserves the most until the very end will win. Our best course of action is to focus on defense until the end and make them lose patience.”

Ahmad nodded at the British officer’s words.

“That’s right. Constantinople is within their grasp, so the two of them will be even more eager.”

* * *

Eventually, Selim and Korkud arrived in Bolu almost simultaneously. To avoid unwanted conflict, they began attacking Bolu from opposite sides. The British officer, understanding the situation, smiled and reported to Ahmad.

“If they were cooperating, it could be considered an ideal pincer attack, but that’s not the case. This significantly reduces our burden.”

As the British officer pointed out, Selim’s and Korkud’s attacks were disorganized. This was because they had to focus not only on Ahmad, who held Bolu, but also on the rival camped on the opposite side.

“If it weren’t for that damn Selim, we could have finished Ahmad already!”

“Korkud, why is he still interfering when he’s already depleted!”

Selim and Korkud hurled insults at each other.

* * *

As the stalemate over Bolu dragged on, Selim and Korkud deployed their hidden cards.

“This is an order to seize Constantinople.”

“Confirmed.”

The French commander, having confirmed the order delivered by the messenger on the speedboat, turned to the Italian and Portuguese commanders present.

“Let’s begin.”

“Let’s do it.”

Two days later, a fleet carrying soldiers and mercenaries from France, Italy, and Portugal landed in Gebze.

“We have secured a bridgehead.”

“The landing of the first unit is complete.”

“The second unit is now landing!”

“Good!”

The French commander, receiving the report, confidently issued an order.

“The second unit landing will immediately establish a defensive perimeter around the bridgehead! The first unit will advance on Constantinople immediately!”

“Yes!”

While the staff and messengers relayed the orders, the French commander mounted his horse. He frowned slightly at the flags waving at the front of the marching soldiers.

“I don’t like the flag.”

The large flags fluttering in the wind were Selim’s military banners.

“It would have been better if it were our proud French flag…….”

* * *

The commanders of the Beylik Janissaries, upon confirming the intelligence that ‘Selim’s army has landed in Gebze!’, exchanged calm glances.

“Foolish Selim has made a grave error.”

“Foolish man, I had hoped he would be a capable Sultan.”

“Enough chatter! Our duty is to protect the capital and the Sultan! Let’s focus on that now!”

At the commander’s order, the Janissary commanders ceased their conversation and began a serious strategy meeting. After the meeting, they returned to their units. The commander, remaining with his staff, issued an order.

“Where are the Habsburg troops currently stationed?”

“They are stationed in Bolu.”

“Instruct them to proceed to Constantinople as quickly as possible.”

“Yes.”

Two days later, the Habsburg army and mercenaries began their march from Bolu to Constantinople.

* * *

While the Habsburg army and mercenaries were en route to Constantinople, the first battle between the French army and the Beylik Janissaries was taking place across the Bosphorus Strait.

“It’s our victory!”

The initial engagement resulted in a French victory. The Beylik Janissaries, sent to defend, suffered significant losses and retreated across the strait.

“It’s a victory!”

“Congratulations, General!”

Despite the congratulations from his subordinates, the French commander’s expression remained grim.

“They are cunning bastards…..”

The Janissaries who retreated across the Bosphorus Strait had not committed their full strength. They had also prepared a sufficient number of ships to facilitate a rapid crossing. This was because the Janissaries’ primary objective was to assess the French army’s combat capabilities. The true battle would unfold before the gates of Constantinople.